New Covid-19 Variants Detected In India Amid Surge In Cases, Uttarakhand On High Alert

Last Updated:May 24, 2025, 13:12 IST

India has detected new Covid-19 variants amid a gradual rise in cases across many states. Authorities assure the situation is under control, with preventive measures intensified.

A healthcare worker fills a syringe with the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine (Photo: PTI)

Amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, a case of the newly emerging Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 type have been detected in India, the INSACOG data stated on Saturday.

Fresh cases of the coronavirus have also recently been reported from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi.

While Delhi recorded 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh reported four in the last 24 hours, Telangana confirmed one, and a nine-month-old in Bengaluru tested positive amid a gradual rise over the past 20 days. Kerala reported 273 cases in May alone.

With more tests being conducted, Uttarakhand’s state health department sounded a high alert in many districts, intensifying preventive measures in line with central government guidelines.

This comes as the Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.

While Covid-19 is now considered another type of viral infection, basic precautions such as hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded areas and avoiding unnecessary gatherings are still encouraged, a statement by the Ministry read.

NB.1.8.1, LF.7 VARIANTS DETECTED IN INDIA

As of May 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as Variants Under Monitoring, not as Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest. However, these are the variants that are reportedly driving the rise in Covid-19 cases in China and parts of Asia.

According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), one case of NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu and four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May.

In India, the most common variant remains JN.1, comprising 53 per cent of samples tested, followed by BA.2 (26 per cent) and other Omicron sublineages (20 per cent).

DELHI GOVT ISSUES ADVISORY AFTER FRESH COVID-19 CASES

According to an advisory by the Delhi government, authorities have been asked for necessary preparedness after 23 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in the national capital.

However, according to the experts, the situation is under control.

The advisory directed all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, and medicines.

The Office of the Health Minister of the Delhi government, the Health Department of Delhi also released a precautionary advisory stating that this was for routine surveillance and there is no cause for concern. The health department assured that they are committed to monitoring the situation.

The advisory also urged all health institutions to send positive samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital to facilitate early detection of any new variants.

Additionally, confirmed influenza and Covid-19 cases may also be reported on the IHIP under the L form.

HIGH ALERT IN UTTARAKHAND

Two women, including a doctor from AIIMS Rishikesh, tested positive for Covid-19 in Uttarakhand, prompting the state health department to issue a high alert.

According to officials, both individuals recently travelled to Uttarakhand from other states.

A 57-year-old woman from Gujarat who had come to Rishikesh for religious purposes exhibited symptoms of coronavirus. After testing, she was confirmed positive and was placed under treatment. The second patient was identified as a doctor from Bengaluru who was receiving treatment at home.

Location :

First Published:

News india New Covid-19 Variants Detected In India Amid Surge In Cases, Uttarakhand On High Alert